Very, very sad news today … unbeknownst to me, it has been recently announced that two of my favorite Broadway musicals will be closing within the next few weeks. Xanadu, it was previously announced, was scheduled to end its Broadway run on October 12 but has had their closing night moved up to this weekend! Legally Blonde is scheduled to close on October 19. Fortunately, both shows will live on in touring versions that will travel around the country but their respective runs on Broadway are, sadly, very close at hand:

Xanadu, the Tony-nominated musical based on the infamous flop film of the same name, will end its run two weeks earlier than recently announced. The producers of the musical had announced Sept. 16 that the musical comedy at the Helen Hayes Theatre would end its run Oct. 12. A new closing date was announced Sept. 23: Xanadu will now play its final Broadway performance Sept. 28 at 3 PM. The producers released a statement saying that the decision to close the show early was made to avoid losses in the current economic climate … Xanadu received four 2008 Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. The Xanadu cast recording is available on the PS Classics label. The national tour of Xanadu will kick off in November at the La Jolla Playhouse, followed by a six-month run at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre. Additional tour dates will be announced at a later time. A foreign production recently opened in Seoul, Korea. Plans are underway for productions in London (co-produced with David Ian and John Gore), China, Australia and the Philippines.

After 595 performances and 30 previews, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will play its final performance on Sunday, October 19, 2008. The show opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets) on April 29, 2007 following preview performances that began on April 3, 2007. The musical will continue to play across the country, in over 35 cities, on its first national tour. “Producing Legally Blonde has been one of the highlights of my career. Much like Elle Woods, the entire company, creative team and crew has worked with heart, wit, enthusiasm, integrity and style throughout the entire, thrilling run. I can’t wait for the rest of the country to be able to experience the show live,” said LEGALLY BLONDE’s lead producer Hal Luftig … The first national tour of LEGALLY BLONDE kicked off on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at Rhode Island’s PPAC.

I understand from Pink reader Jamie that another fun Broadway musical [title of show] (which I have not been able to see) is also closing after opening this past July (it is scheduled to give its final performance also on October 19). I gotta say … all these closings are really sad. There are many theater purists out there who are, I’m sure, not at all sad to see these “frivolous” shows close down but I, for one, really enjoy them and find them an invigorating and refreshing way to get young people excited about musical theater. I am heartened by the fact that both Xanadu and Legally Blonde will live on in touring versions but … there is something sad and finite about a show closing on Broadway. This morning, I purchased a ticket to see Xanadu one last time before it closes … I’ll be at the Friday night performance. I urge any of y’all who are able to come out to see these shows on the Great White Way while you still have the chance.

I had the opportunity to see [title of show] when it was a part of the theater festival in 06 in NY. If you have the opportunity to see it, I would do it. It restored my love of musicals. It truly is amazing and something you cannot miss out on!

I am soo upset about this news! Legally Blonde is my favorite Broadway musical! To me, these kind of shows are so much more interesting and fun than other Broadway shows. I am going to have to see it one last time :(

It looks like Bailey Hanks got the short end of the stick… Most of the runner-ups of the MTV show got jobs with the tour. Sounds like they will have jobs much longer than her. I liked Lauren and Rhianon better anyways! :)

As a native New Yorker, Broadway is part of my life. First Rent, now Legally Blonde, and Xanadu. There is now a void in my New York soul. I will miss them, but at least others elsewhere can enjoy them in some form. Broadway has just gotten a whole lot blander.

I’m totally upset that Legally Blonde is closing. I have yet to see it, but iI might go see it when they come to texas. I feel bad for Bailey. Maybe it would have done “So Much Better” if Autumn was Elle instead of Bailey. Oh well at least I’ll have the memories. Does anyone know exactly why its coming off of Broadway?